The Environmental Protection Agency is planning to adopt new modeling to project air pollution health risks, according to a new report. Experts are already criticizing the new method, which would “drastically lower” previously determined premature death estimates.
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EGEB: Solar capacity to double in next five years, UK energy plans, solar roof for Notre Dame rebuild?
In today’s EGEB:
- A solar report expects total capacity to more than double over next five years.
- Plan to nationalize utilities in the UK would emphasize renewable energy.
- An architecture firm’s proposal for rebuilding Notre Dame includes a solar glass roof.
- Portugal is preparing to auction off 1.35 GW of solar capacity this summer.
Climate Change Weekly: New CO2 record, Antarctic ice thinning, political plans, and more
In this edition of Climate Change Weekly:
- Atmospheric carbon dioxide hits a new high.
- Ice loss is seen deep into Antarctica.
- Elizabeth Warren seeks US military preparedness and accountability for climate change.
- Jay Inslee unveils his Evergreen Economy Plan.
- Climate change is a key topic in today’s Australian election.
- And more…
EGEB: Perovskite-based solar cells on sale by 2020? Tesla/solar microgrid, and WV wind
In today’s EGEB:
- A UK company plans on bringing perovskite-based solar cells to market by the end of 2020.
- A California casino uses Tesla batteries in its microgrid — and such microgrids could be “the future.”
- West Virginia welcomes a proposed wind farm.
Jay Inslee unveils ‘Evergreen Economy Plan’ focused on clean energy, jobs, infrastructure
Democratic presidential candidate and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has unveiled his “Evergreen Economy Plan,” a $9 trillion plan for the US that would create 8 million jobs over the next decade, centered around clean energy initiatives.
Lilium’s new all-electric five-seater air taxi prototype completes test flight
Lilium has unveiled a new all-electric air taxi prototype, a jet-powered five-seater that’s the first of its kind. The Lilium Jet prototype completed its first successful test flight earlier this month.
Electric, autonomous T-Pod truck starts making deliveries on Swedish public road
Einride’s T-Pod, an all-electric driverless truck, has started making deliveries on a stretch of public road in Sweden. Einride and customer DB Schenker are calling the deliveries the first of their kind in the world.
EGEB: US solar and wind tax credits, coal bankruptcy, UK solar records, and more
In today’s EGEB:
- Democrats look to extend solar and wind tax credits…
- …while the IEA sees the phaseout as encouraging to wind development.
- One of the largest coal producers in the US files for bankruptcy.
- UK solar generation peaked twice in the past week.
Anaheim Transportation Network orders 40 BYD electric buses, 57% of fleet zero emission by 2020
The Anaheim Transportation Network (ATN) will have one of the largest electric bus fleets in the US after receiving a new order of 40 BYD electric buses, and more than half of ATN’s fleet will be zero emission by next year.
China claims new breakthrough cuts lithium production costs to record low, EVs look to benefit
The Chinese government claims a new technological breakthrough pushes lithium production prices to a record low, which could have a big effect on electric car battery costs.
World’s first all-electric ski hill snowcat is already pushing snow around the slopes
PistenBully recently introduced what it claims is the world’s first all-electric snow groomer, used to push snow around mountain ski slopes.
More than 2 million electric vehicles sold in 2018, EVs expected to make up 57% of all sales by 2040
A new forecast of electric vehicle sales says more than 2 million EVs were sold worldwide last year, with sales expected to continue a rapid rise in the coming years, passing ICE cars in sales by the 2030s.
EGEB: Solar cheaper than natural gas by 2023, energy astroturfing, German wind collapse
In today’s EGEB:
- An analyst thinks solar will be cheaper than natural gas almost everywhere in four years.
- A look at the astroturfing efforts of utilities.
- The German onshore wind industry is facing a “collapse.”
Global renewable investments stall, ‘rapid boost’ needed to reach Paris Agreement goals
Worldwide investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency stalled in 2018, with experts saying a “rapid boost” is required to keep Paris Agreement goals in sight.
‘Rock bottom’ Nissan looking to invest in a Chinese electric car startup — but which one?
A reeling Nissan is looking to expand its footprint in China’s electric vehicle market by investing in one of the country’s electric startups.
EGEB: UK solar panel taxes, Australian rooftop solar booming, wind-brewed beer, and more
In today’s EGEB:
- An upcoming VAT increase could stifle UK solar panel additions.
- But in Australia, homes and businesses keep adding more solar power.
- A look at Budweiser’s wind power deal.
- Very few ships are large enough to carry offshore wind turbine parts.
Iceland moving away from ICE as capital Reykjavík aims to reduce gas stations by half by 2025
The city council of Reykjavík, Iceland recently approved a plan to reduce the number of gas stations by half in Iceland’s capital by 2025, as one of the city’s environmental initiatives.
Green New Deal, carbon pricing get the John Oliver treatment on HBO’s ‘Last Week Tonight’
HBO’s “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” tackled the Green New Deal and carbon pricing on Sunday night’s recent episode, bringing further mainstream attention to climate issues and ideas, and confronting a number of bad faith arguments in the process.
Mercedes sets goal for ‘carbon-neutral’ passenger car fleet — by 2039
Mercedes-Benz has announced its intentions to have a “carbon-neutral” new passenger car fleet by 2039, calling it “a fundamental transformation” of the company.
EGEB: Renewables lab partners with Exxon, subsidy-free solar in Germany, and more
In today’s EGEB:
- The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is partnering with ExxonMobil.
- Germany’s first subsidy-free solar park is set to enter construction this summer.
- The EIA expects less electricity to be generated from coal once again this summer.
- A look at how offshore wind giant Ørsted can succeed in the US.
Climate Change Weekly: Accelerating extinction, Biden’s ‘middle ground,’ Green New Deal, and more
In this edition of Climate Change Weekly:
- A new report finds nature on an unprecedented decline, with accelerating extinction rates.
- Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden seeking “middle ground” climate policy.
- Iceland is using a new method to fight climate change.
- The more Republicans hear about the Green New Deal, the more they decide they don’t like it.
- Ireland follows the UK in declaring a climate emergency.
- And more…
New York state on track to be coal-free by 2020
New York state is on track to close its last remaining coal-fired power plants by the end of 2020 after adopting final regulations that require state power plants to meet new, stricter CO2 emissions limits.
Proposed Illinois bill would force EV owners to pay $1,000 annual registration fee
A proposed bill in the Illinois legislature would raise the state’s annual registration fee for all-electric vehicles from $17.50 to a whopping $1,000.
EGEB: US solar installations hit 2 million, Québec utility wants to be US ‘green battery,’ and more
In today’s EGEB:
- The US reaches 2 million total solar installations, three years after hitting 1 million.
- A Québec utility looks to become the “green battery” of the Northeast US.
- A map shows the location of more than 800 waitlisted Illinois community solar projects.
- Texas renewable backers prepare for a last-minute legislative attack.
- Jay Inslee responds to The Onion’s headline.